The build-up to Friday's cup opener saw expectations raised to an almost dangerously high level, with recent impressive form in the Magners League providing cause for optimism and a new-found faith in Brian McLaughlin's rapidly improving young guns.
CNN's Yousuf Basil, Salma Abdelaziz, Mohammed Jamjoom, Elise Labott, Faith Karimi, Joe Sterling, Hamdi Alkhshali, Ivan Watson, Brian Walker and Matthew Chance contributed to this report.